The next CAD package?

[Paul_H]

One very useful aspect is that it allows the importation of stl files and their reverse engineering back to 3D CAD files.
I use Inventor every day but I do have a copy of Fusion for its stl handling capability because I also use Artec and Zeiss 3D scanners.

Sorry to the OP to drift OT, but I haven't found this functionality to be terribly reliable. Some STLs import as sensible structures, some as meshes and sometimes the file has different properties (holes, gaps or voids being revealed).
I'd guess this is something to do with how and what software created the STLs, but can it be very frustrating. Maybe I'm missing some option ?

 

[Arun Sharma]

Sorry to the OP to drift OT, but I haven't found this functionality to be terribly reliable. Some STLs import as sensible structures, some as meshes and sometimes the file has different properties (holes, gaps or voids being revealed).
I'd guess this is something to do with how and what software created the STLs, but can it be very frustrating. Maybe I'm missing some option ?

As a rule of thumb, an stl [or mesh] that has been created in a CAD package is far less likely to have holes and defects in the mesh than one imported from a 3D scanner [or unknown source]. Fusion has an option in the import dialogue to repair meshes and this should be used if the file doesn't look to have opened properly or completely.

 

[Mike_C]

Hello Herbie,

I use Fusion for my scratchbuild work and I even had a go at designing my own kit. It was an AEC Matador which I wanted for a 2mm scale diorama. Never having done any CAD before, the model probably has been produced differently from the establisher users; however, the results looked good to me. I would recommend Fusion, especially as it is free for hobbyists.

cheers,

Mike

 

[Lancastrian]

I'm using QCAD and Fusion 360 for my designs.

 

[bambuko]

Having used various CAD systems in my working life,
in retirement I have settled on QCAD and FreeCAD.
Happy customer with both.

 

[paratom]

Might be a bit late jumping in here but Solidworks has a really good offer on at the moment in which you can buy a license for £24 a year providing it's for personal use and you don't make more than $2000 a year using it. For commercial use it retails for thousands of pounds so a good deal in my opinion.

Thomas

 

[simond]

2 quid a month for Solidworks is an outstanding offer. I hope it is still available when I finally retire!!!

 

[Paul_H]

2 quid a month for Solidworks is an outstanding offer. I hope it is still available when I finally retire!!!

Only if you retire very soon, that offer expires 10/1/25 !
Then goes to $48/pa

Out of interest, what would you say you gain from Solidworks rather than Fusion 360 ?

 

[simond]

A massive learning curve! I use SW every day! And I’ll not retire for at least another year.

I guess the gain would be less for someone that was not already experienced in a product, and I have no experience with Fusion, so I can’t compare their capabilities or ease of use. SW has some “foibles”, I guess they all do.

 

[paratom]

If you want to generate a small amount of income then Solidworks allows you to generate $1000 more a year with their £24 a year paid subscription but if your not planning to earn any income off it then Fusion 360 might be for you although you wont have as many capabilities with the free version of Fusion 360. I can't compare the learning curves between the two but would imagine Solidworks is higher if you want to learn the complete package.

 

[paratom]

Hello Herbie,

I use Fusion for my scratchbuild work and I even had a go at designing my own kit. It was an AEC Matador which I wanted for a 2mm scale diorama. Never having done any CAD before, the model probably has been produced differently from the establisher users; however, the results looked good to me. I would recommend Fusion, especially as it is free for hobbyists.

cheers,

Mike
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What resin and 3D printer have you used for your model?